Board Game Review- Shadows Over Camelot

I was first introduced to Days of Wonder Games ten years ago with their game "A Fist Full of Dragon Stones." Since that first game I've been hooked on the fantastic board games they produce. "Shadows Over Camelot" is an older game having come out about five years ago before Days of Wonder's hit game "Ticket to Ride" became big. Unlike many board games "Shadows Over Camelot" is a co-operative game where the players work together to try and beat the board.  Each turn is divided in to two parts for the player. First they must choose a negative action, drawing and playing a negative card, adding a siege engine to the battle against Camelot, or loosing some of their Knights life energy. These negative effects are how the game plays against the players. 

For the second part of their turn the players preform positive actions. Moving to a quest, playing a positive card, or using one of their Knightly abilities. 

Each player takes on the role of one of the many knights of the Round Table. Arthur, Kay, Lancelot, Gwain, Percival, Palemedes, and others each have their own special Knightly powers which help the players through out the game. Each knight has a give amount of life to start out the game, 4 life points, and if a knight looses all the points they are out of the game. Cards and Items like the Holy Grail can restore Knights to life or give them more life. 

As the game progresses the questions of negative actions the players must preform bring raise the tension as quests like the Holy Grail, Lancelot's Armor, the Quest for Excalibur, the Battle with the Black Knight or the looming threat of Picts and Saxons draw the attention of the knights. Players are limited in which quest they can act on in a turn and this means that as negative cards are played they must decide where to best divide their resources. Winning quests bring the knights White Sword of Victory while loosing Quests give them Black swords of Defeat. When the number of White or Black Swords are totaled which ever number of swords is in the majority indicates if the Knights have one or lost. Players will find themselves captivated by the dramatic tension as quests near completion or defeat and they work together to Save Camelot. 

Like the story of "Le Mort D'Artur" there can be a traitor knight in the midst. The advanced rules allow for a traitor to play against the other players. Traitors are encouraged to do so covertly as uncovering the traitor knight allows the loyal knights to win the game. However accusing the wrong knight can damage Camelot and overly eager accusers will find the kingdom falling into ruins with every miss guessed accusation. 

Overall Shadows Over Camelot is a fun game where the players don't need to worry about the competition of winning against their other players or the sorrows of defeat. Players can learn teamwork and prioritization as they work together to win. Playing the help of parents the game can be played with some younger children. A great game for family and friends who want the fun of King Arthur's knights in their own living room.  

Off Center caries the game for $50 dollars.